The Defence HQ has denied military operations by US security forces in Nigeria. Several online publications had reported incidences of US marines arresting Boko Haram leaders in commando style operations. However, yesterday The Herald reported that US forces were helping Nigerian military with satellite imagery and communications technology.
Specifically we reported that the communications tech deployed by the US team led to the arrest of a Boko Haram informant in Maiduguri who was providing information to the sect on the movement of forces deployed to rescue the missing girls. We stand by our earlier reports.
Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said, “There has been no arrest or operation by any foreign military or security allies in the ongoing efforts to rescue the abducted girls or the conduct of the ongoing counter terrorist campaign in Nigeria as reported by national dailies today and currently being circulated online. Contrary to the reports and the pictures being circulated to illustrate the claims, there has been no incident or record as reported. The pictures being circulated to illustrate the claims in the story are not related to the situation in Nigeria as they were taken from scenes in other countries.
“Indeed, no troop of the American Marines has so far been deployed in any part of Nigeria as is being circulated in certain media.
“International coalition is quite appropriate in handling terrorism being a trans-border and global crime. The public will be duly briefed on the areas of collaboration with allied forces in the mission to bring back our girls as the need arises. There is therefore no need to engage in misleading speculations while the mission is in progress.”
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